How to Check Tire Pressure

Series Summary

The advent of the modern automobile tire came in the mid 19th century, which was, oddly enough, some 40 years before the invention of the automobile itself. Scotsman Robert William Thomson is credited with the first patent for an inflatable tire; his invention was used for bicycles in that day. The developments from his prototype paved the way for the rubber, radial tread tires we use on our cars and trucks today.

Tires help our cars operate safely and comfortably on the road. The cushion of air between the road and our bodies is an excellent shock absorber, reducing vibrations from inconsistencies in the pavement and allowing the tire to deform in a fashion favorable for tight maneuvering. Without the tire we have today, life would be vastly different, leaving us to rely perhaps on trolleys and railroads to get us to our destinations.

In this free video guide to car tire care and maintenance, learn how to keep your tires in good driving condition. Our expert will give you step-by-step instructions on how to change a flat, should the need arise. He’ll also give you tips on how to check your air pressure, and fill your tire when it’s low. Finally, learn how to read the tread wear and determine if your tire needs to be replaced.

Video Transcript

" Hi! This is John on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this video clip, I will show you how to check for proper tire pressure. The first thing you need to do is check to see what the tire pressure should be and if you take a look at the inside of your drivers side door here, many times it will tell you what it is supposed to be. If you take a look at this model, it shows that the front tires are supposed to be 35 pounds per square inch, the rear tires are supposed to be 35 pounds per square inch and the spare tire should be 60 PSI. The next thing you need to do is locate your valve stem and remove the valve stem cap. After that, you will want to get your tire pressure gauge and press it securely onto the valve stem. Once I get my reading, I see that it says it is 20 lbs. per square inch and it is supposed to be 35 so that is quite a bit low. "